Interest spreads to all, for all are linked and have their place in the universe on which the mind is centered. The stars, earth, stones, life of all kinds form a whole in relation with each other, and so close is this relation that we cannot understand a stone without some understanding of the great sun. No matter what we touch, an atom, or a cell, we cannot explain it without knowledge of the wide universe.
—Maria Montessori
To Educate the Human Potential

The upper elementary health sciences curriculum begins in early childhood with the study of zoology. Like all Montessori studies, learning is at first a sensory experience. Children in the early childhood environment study that which can be seen, and thus spend their time naming and identifying the external parts of animals. In lower elementary, children begin to classify animals, learning the characteristics that are unique to each class of animals, as well as the habitats around the world. Upper elementary zoology explores deeper and studies more advanced classification, internal anatomy, reproduction, and adaptations.

The story of human biology, or health sciences, unfolds in much the same way as zoology studies. In lower elementary, we begin by investigating and naming parts of the nervous, skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. We begin with an in-depth look at the eight human internal organ systems.


Upper Elementary Health Sciences Curriculum

In upper elementary, we begin with a review of what was previously learned and then add three additional systems: the urinary, immune, and endocrine systems. This is integrated with sensory explorations, exploring how the senses are related to the organ systems. For example, the sense of touch is only made possible through the work of the nervous system. Students learn that these systems must function together and not in isolation of one another.

Upper elementary students also learn how to keep their bodies functioning and how to maintain both physical and mental health. Topics such as nutrition, safe food handling and preparation, wellness, physical fitness, and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships are discussed and explored in a hands-on exploratory manner.

Both asexual and sexual reproduction are covered in the upper elementary zoology manual. Since human reproduction can be a personal topic, NAMC has chosen to leave any further discussion of human reproduction to the discretion of the teacher or parent.

When we approach the functions of the human body through science, the student discovers how their body works and how to keep it healthy within the confines of scientific exploration. This removes any embarrassment or stigma that might be otherwise attached to health sciences. It also satisfies the upper elementary student’s intense curiosity and need to know how and why things work the way they do.


Works Cited
Montessori, Maria. To Educate the Human Potential. Oxford: Clio, 1989.

Michelle Irinyi — NAMC Tutor & Graduate

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Continue Reading this Article

NAMC Blog Inquiries Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

Search the NAMC Montessori Teacher Training Blog

Are you interested in reading back through NAMC's blog articles from years gone by, or for more information on a specific topic?

Browse a select list of our most popular categories below; by clicking on one, you will see every article posted under that topic since 2007. You may also use the lower archive menu to select a year and month, displaying all blog posts in the chosen time frame.

If you are seeking a range of information on a certain topic or idea, try this search box for site-wide keyword results.

Choose From a List of Popular Article Topics

NAMC Montessori Series

Montessori Philosophy and Methodology

Montessori Classroom Management

The School Year

Montessori Materials

Montessori Curriculum

Montessori Infant/Toddler (0–3) Program

Montessori Early Childhood (3–6) Program

Montessori Elementary (6–12) Programs

What is Montessori?

Search Archives for Montessori Blog Posts by Date


Thank you to the NAMC Montessori community!

NAMC has been providing quality Montessori distance training and curriculum development to Montessorians around the globe for more than 25 years. Since beginning in 1996, we have grown to build a fantastic community of students, graduates, and schools in over 160 countries. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication to furthering the reach and success of the Montessori method.